The Old Smithy, Eccleshall

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Went on Saturday night, our 4th or 5th visit since it's last reincarnation and have to say was a bit underwhelmed by it.
We were a couple of minutes late so were shown to our table straight away, as usual, the table was laid out immaculately and the waitress was on the ball with the menus.
Thought the food was Ok at best.
Mrs trumpet's chicken breast arrived as a breast & wing portion which was a pain as she 'doesn't do bones'. My rump of lamb was OK but nothing special. The fish cake (singular) main wasn't particularly fishy for the money although the duck looked nice and was apparently very tasty.
Overall for the thick end of £125 for four of us in a pub restaurant with two bottles of average wine and no starters I feel they need to up their game a bit.
But we did come up with a rough guide to Eccy dining. In the Bell you get gravy, in the Oak you get sauce, in the Smithy you get either a jus or a reduction and a bigger bill.
Hear the Kings is spot on these days, will have to give them a try.
 

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
Would definitely recommend this place lovely decor/atmosphere friendly staff and food is lovely and fresh...go on treat yourself!
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I'd be happy to get a proper bit of chicken, none of this tasteless breast with no skin nonsense!
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
216189597_1719822034894081_783921219939849155_n.jpg
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
It makes sense as a business decision, everyone needs some time off once in a while.

Personally though I think this place is and has for a long time been the worst establishment in Eccleshall (I've never been in the Eagle though) the menu has barely changed since the Badger and is rather underwhelming and at the same time more than a little overpriced, last time I was in there (pre-covid) the manager (who on a good day has about as much charisma as a sprout on Boxing Day) was having a rude and unprofessional reaction to a complaint from one customer and his mother in law was making a spectacle of herself with another.
 
Top